This afternoon we welcomed Métis herbalist and educator, Lori Ann Bird (Lori Snyder), to lead a Healing Salve Workshop. She began with a very generous welcome, inviting others in the room to introduce themselves. Which turned into a free flowing dialogue on nature and reconciliation.… Read More »Healing Salve Making – May 25, 2024
This morning we welcomed artists, Elena Kirby and Masumi Rodriguez, to share their knowledge of paper making with invasive ivy. Elena & Masumi had spent 7 months studying the traditional art of papermaking (washi) in Kochi, Japan. They studied at a Kozo (mulberry) farm, and… Read More »Ivy Paper Making Workshop – May 25, 2024
Today, our Executive Director, Grace Nombrado, guided a grade 1 class from the local Champlain Heights Annex school for a fieldtrip along the Champlain Heights Trail system. The kids were excited for the fieldtrip, as Grace had previosuly presented to their class, and they were… Read More »Planting Cedars! – May 9, 2024
Today, we had 16 amazing volunteers gather to help remove invasive plant regrowth along the Red Alder Trail. 3 of the volunteers were joining us for their very first invasive pull, and we were happy to welcome them!After our Executive Director, Grace, welcomed everyone and… Read More »Invasive Pull – May 4, 2024
Free the Fern was very honoured to be invited to attend the 24th annual Earth Fest on Saturday, April 27, 2024, organized by the Everett Crowley Park Committee. The day before the event, on Friday, April 26, 2024, 5 volunteers gathered on the Red Alder… Read More »Earth Fest – April 27, 2024
Free the Fern hosted our first ever Native Plant Sale for the public on Saturday, April 20, 2024. In an effort to encourage native planting in our local community, we ordered 416 native shade and sun plants from NATS Nursery. On Friday, April 19, 2024,… Read More »Native Plant Sale – April 20, 2024
Today, we had 23 amazing volunteers gather for our montly Free the Fern Invasive Pull along the Red Alder Trail. We met at the beautiful Douglas Fir Teaching Garden, our education garden, which is in full bloom with Pacific bleeding heart flowers. Grace Nombrado, our… Read More »Invasive Pull + Planting – April 6, 2024
Today, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Free the Fern was happy to be able to partner with Wild Outside to run a Youth Invasive Pull Event. Wild Outside is a youth branch of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Wild Outside leaders, Laura and Emma, arrived early to… Read More »Wild Ouside Youth Event – March 26, 2024
On Tuesday, March 25, 2024, Squamish carver, John Spence, and his son, Koda, arrived in Champlain Heights to begin the process of carving cedars into a healing circle in the Douglas Fir Teaching Garden, South Vancouver. This carving project is part of our Healing Forest… Read More »Harvesting Cedar for Carving- March 25, 2024
Today we were honoured to welcome master cedar weaver and natural dyer, Rita Kompst, of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nation to lead a cedar bracelet weaving workshop. 15 participants joined this very healing workshop. Rita shared how she began to weave 10 years ago after the… Read More »Cedar Bracelet Weaving Workshop – March 16, 2024